Consumers Energy Pledges Commitment to Clean Energy in Michigan

Consumers Energy was recognized with the WMSBF Climate Leadership Award in 2020 for its Clean Energy Plan, which seeks to eliminate coal, reduce carbon emissions by over 90 percent, and utilize 90 percent clean energy resources by 2040.

Two Bay City area coal-fired generating units will be retired in 2023, nearly a decade ahead of schedule, and three generating units near Holland are planned to close between 2031 and 2040. Renewable energy, energy waste reduction, and energy storage will help enable the company to meet its customers’ electricity capacity needs through 2040 and beyond. In addition, in late 2019, Consumers Energy also set a net-zero methane emissions goal by 2030 for its natural gas delivery system.  This is one of the most aggressive goals in the nation for similar sized utilities. As Michigan’s largest energy provider, Consumers Energy, provides natural gas and/or electricity to 6.7 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

In addition to its February 2020 commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040, the company achieved many other planet-friendly accomplishments in the past year. For example, it helped its hometown, Jackson, claim title as Michigan’s “Clean Energy Capital,” after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced it has more ENERGY STAR-certified buildings than any small city in the nation. And five new PowerMIDrive fast charging stations for electric vehicles are operating in Gaylord, Cadillac, Big Rapids, Saugatuck and Marshall, providing a powerful boost to drivers who are protecting the planet while traveling across the state. The stations typically charge an electric vehicle battery from zero to up to 80 percent in an hour, giving drivers the power to travel long distances on vacation or for work.

The Consumers Energy plan is among the strongest of U.S. utilities.

Consumers Energy also worked with biologists with Central Michigan University and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to increase the population of endangered snuffbox mussels in the Grand River and helped ensure the survival of a rare species by releasing 19 juvenile Blanding’s Turtles rescued from its Saginaw Trail natural gas pipeline replacement project back into their natural wetland habitat in Genesee County.

As part of the company’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and in response to the recent tragic events causing widespread protests across the country, the Consumers Energy Foundation made available $100,000 in grants to support the Black Lives Matter movement, fight racism, shape systemic change and create opportunities in Michigan.

Most recently, in Forbes’ list of best places in America for women to work, Consumers Energy was named the best employer for women in the utility sector and third best employer in Michigan. The company also announced an expanded parental leave policy.